Impact assessments

Impact assessments are an important tool that regulators and central government use when developing policy. They promote a transparent, open and robust analysis and decision making process by requiring the policy maker to explain fully policy decisions and encourage stakeholder participation in the development of policy.

We are committed to consistency and transparency in our decision-making as set out in our corporate strategy 2009-14.  We are therefore adopting the use of impact assessments as a means to improve the way we undertake this commitment.

Impact assessment guidance

We have published guidance to inform stakeholders about our approach and the process we intend to use when undertaking impact assessments. It explains when we will conduct impact assessments and how stakeholders can contribute to the process.

This is version 1 of our approach to producing impact assessment which we are adopting from today. We are intending to review the effectiveness of this document during the summer of 2010. We will review the impact assessments undertaken during the year and invite stakeholders to provide views on our process.

Last updated: 30 September 2011

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